Death on Demand (2008)

Director:

Adam Matalon

Writers:

Adam Matalon (writer) &
Kevin Burke (writer) ...
(more)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

Turn On. Log In. Watch Out.

Plot:

"Wealthy college student Richard Sachs arranges a web broadcast contest originating from a local haunted house...

Plot Keywords:

Porn Star | Mountain Climber | Football Player | Grappling Hook | Halloween

Cast

Jerry Broome	...	Sean McIntyre
Suzannah Lawson Matalon	...	Ruth Gordon
Bridget Megan Clark	...	Bridget (as Bridget Clark)
Daphne Ciccarelle	...	Daphne
Hilary Greer	...	Gretchen McIntyre
Elisabeth Jamison	...	Darla
Dan Falcone	...	Richard DeNola
Terron Jones	...	Peter
Joseph Pensabene	...	Cameraman
Sara Christal	...	Haydn
Josh Folan	...	Biff
Brandon Goins	...	Brad
Anne McDaniels	...	Tammy
Ralph Bernard	...	Larry DeNola
Irene Seton	...	Secretary
Krista Grotte	...	Velvet Luv
Kevin Kozub	...	Skeleton Guy #1
Jerry Baxtron Jr.	...	Skeleton Guy #2 (as Jerry Baxtron)
Justin Scutieri	...	Max the Viking
Jason Boniello	...	Stoned Mexican Guy
Ed Guardaro	...	College Guy
Emile Karam	...	College Guy
Nita Blum	...	College Girl
Stefanie O'Dell	...	College Girl
Aisha Patterson	...	College Girl
Jacqueline Crawford	...	Darla's Hands
Kevin Burke	...	Sean McIntyre's Legs
Adam Matalon	...	Richard DeNola's Hands

Directed by
Adam Matalon

Writing credits
Adam Matalon		(writer) &
Kevin Burke		(writer)
Brian O'Hara		original screenplay

Produced by
Kevin Burke	....	producer
Adam Matalon	....	producer
Sarah Matalon	....	producer
Esther Raphael	....	line producer

Original Music by
Adam Blau

Cinematography by
Peter Scheer

Film Editing by
Timothy Donovan

Costume Design by
Nita Blum

Makeup Department
Elizabeth Gerbino	....	key hair stylist
Elizabeth Gerbino	....	key makeup artist
Jeremy Selenfriend	....	special effects makeup artist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jeff Jason	....	first assistant director
Smith Sumroy	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Heather Olson	....	art director: second unit

Sound Department
Chris Drozdowski	....	sound mixer
Robert Felsted	....	boom operator

Special Effects by
Elizabeth Gerbino	....	life casting assistant
Holly Selenfriend	....	life casting assistant (as Holly Wisniewski)
Jeremy Selenfriend	....	special effects artist

Camera and Electrical Department
Robert Brazius	....	assistant camera
T.J. Hellmuth	....	gaffer

Music Department
John DeCicco	....	music supervisor

Production Companies

• Evil Twins (II)
• Chatsby Films

Distributors

• Encore Entertainment Distributors (2010) (Australia) (DVD)
• Eventity Entertainment (2013) (Sweden) (TV)
• Maxim Media International (2008) (Non-USA) (all media)
• Mill Creek Entertainment (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• Mti Home Video
• New KSM (2009) (Germany) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Monster in my Closet

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence/gore, sexual content and language

Runtime:

USA:90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

USA:R | Germany:18 (cut) | Germany:18 (SPIO/JK) (uncut) | Australia:MA (2010) | Canada:16+ (Québec)

Filming Locations:

Peekskill, New York, USA

Company:

Evil Twins (II)

Quotes:

Biff:Biff's on the ball and we're walking tall, you know what I'm sayin?

Movie Connections:

References Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Halloween: Resurrection, Part 2

Three college-aged couples are promised $5000 if they spend the night in a supposedly haunted house, where years earlier, a renowned mountain climber murdered his entirely family on Thanksgiving Day before doing himself in. The catch--their entire night will be broadcast over the Internet via strategically placed webcams. The group's first decided upon task is to hold a seance, which results in the spirit of the deranged mountain killer materializing, and he is none to happy about the intruders in his home. Armed with his trusty mountain climbing hook, be begins stalking and slaughtering the teens one by one.

"Death on Demand" certainly wins no points for originality, as fans of the genre will immediately be reminded of "Halloween: Resurrection," as well as some obscure entries into the genre such as "Dead Dudes in the House," and the more recently DTV release "The Slaughter." Still, that is not this films worst problem, as many slasher films have clichéd plots that they are able to rise above. First, the acting is atrocious, and though there are a few attractive cast members, none of the can act to save their lives. There is one particular character-Brad-who is great to look at, particularly during his sex scene, but is one of the most annoying characters I have ever witnessed in a horror film and the actor portraying him is...well.....not very good. In fact, there isn't one likable character in the whole movie, so when they do begin to die, we could care less. The whole premise of the film is based on the fact that the events are being broadcast over the web, but when the killing starts, that whole plot element is forgotten. Nobody anywhere watching the webcast apparently views the teens being mercily butchered, but only minutes before could see the sex that seems to happen every five minutes in the film. Basically, clichés and plot abound the plot and not an original bone is to be found in this film, except perhaps the weapon of choice of the killer. Even the ending, which the writer probably thought was oh-so-clever, has been done before in many films (see the ones I mentioned above) and could be seen coming two miles away.

The film does look good, though. It doesn't have the cheap look that so many DTV's have and the lighting is actually adequate during the dark scenes. Also, the gore effects are pretty decent and there are some nasty kills that would have been much more effective had the character being murdered been likable. Once the seance is held, the pace of the film picks up. I wasn't bored, per se, and actually smiled a few times because, despite its countless flaws, the film does manage some flashes of good film-making that reminded me of the glory days of the 80' slasher flicks. Bottom line is I didn't hate this film. Sure, I cringed at the acting and dialogue a few times, but when it was over and done with, I wasn't angry or upset or felt that I wasted my time. I have come to not over-estimate expectations of a DTV slasher and this one had a certain charm, albeit its cheesiness, and I definitely don't count it among the worst I have seen recently.

My Grade: C-